Mary Elizabeth (Daly) Staska was born on July 15, 1944, in Oakland, CA, to Thomas and Mildred (Bruggeman) Daly. She was raised in Mahnomen, attended Mahnomen Public School where she was a cheerleader and graduated in 1962. Shortly out of high school, Mary was united in marriage to Warren Abdo. They had five daughters: Paula, Pam, Michelle, Melanie and Jennifer. The couple later divorced. While back in Mahnomen visiting, she ran into an old high school friend at the American Legion Club. Mary soon realized this was the love of her life and she married Marvin Staska in 1977, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Moorhead, MN. They made their home in Mahnomen, where she joined Marvin in farming. Although raised a city girl, she wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty. Mary helped with all aspects of the farm from cooking and delivering lunches, to combining and chisel plowing. She later became a rural mail carrier sub out of the Waubun Post Office, eventually getting her own route. She loved her patrons, and the love was returned in the form of many special gifts.

In retirement, Mary and Marvin enjoyed traveling. She especially loved summers spent fishing at the Northwest Angle. She was a great fisherman and extremely competitive, going so far as to have fish counters to keep an "honest" count of the season's catch. Marv and Mary also wintered in Texas, where she enjoyed winery tours, live music, and fresh seafood and a setting to wear her cowboy hat. Mary passed away Wednesday, October 25, 2017, at the Mahnomen Health Center, at the age of 73.

Mary is survived by her husband, Marvin; four daughters: Paula (Scott) Nelson of New Prague, MN; Michelle (Mark) Trnka of Mahnomen, MN, Melanie (Kent) Bauman of Willmar, MN, and Jennifer (Steve) Kahlbaugh of Mahnomen, MN; 10 grandchildren: Sarah Starkey, Tyler (Brandi) Starkey, Shawn Nelson, Kevin Nelson, Gregory (Kayleigh) Trnka, Stephanie (Travis) Lehner, Braden Bauman, Tanner Bauman, Nathaniel Kahlbaugh and Blake Kahlbaugh; and four great-grandchildren: Colton Nelson, Jaxson Nelson, Parker Lehner and Charlotte Lehner. She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Pamela.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 3:00pm on Monday, October 30, 2017, at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Mahnomen, MN. Visitation will take place on Sunday, October 29, 2017, from 2:00pm until 4:00pm, with a Prayer Service at 3:30pm at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Mahnomen.